With about 5,300 colleges and universities to choose from in the United States, you'll want to start narrowing down your college list during your junior year of high school.
Not sure how to narrow down a college list? This checklist should help you get started!
Here's what I cover in this blog post:
Are you applying to in-state colleges? Narrow your college list to 3-5 colleges.
Are you interested in spreading your wings and applying to out-of-state colleges? Your list will likely be longer with 7-10 colleges.
For financial purposes, most students should consider applying to at least one in-state public college.
I live in a state that has two separate public university systems. One is the university system with an annual cost of attendance of $25,000 as of 2020, and the other is the state system with an annual cost of attendance closer to $17,500 as of 2020.
The starting price (before financial aid) may be the difference between a student attending a four-year college versus the community college system or tech and trade school. Make sure you discuss financials with your parents before applying to any college. Ask your parents if you are solely responsible for paying for college or if they have saved for this endeavor. Do your homework before spending valuable time applying to colleges outside of your price range!
After your FAFSA is completed, the government will determine your Student Aid Index (SAI), using the Federal Method.
Your SAI is not what you will have to pay for tuition! Rather, your SAI is a government formula that provides colleges with an indication of what you can afford.
There are plenty of SAI calculators available online. Check out this one if you don't already have this number in mind.
Refer to this checklist when you're narrowing down your college list. You'll want to check...
Net price calculators published on individual college websites are not always accurate reflections of your likely out-of-pocket expense. However, we suggest you utilize this function and then make a follow-up call or appointment with that college's financial aid office. If you provide more context around your financial situation and ask the right questions, you should be able to get a more accurate number.
Having a more accurate picture of what you'll have to pay if you're accepted at an institution can help you rule some colleges out (if they're too expensive).
It's worth noting that many colleges are using the 6-year graduation rate in their marketing materials instead of the 4-year graduation rate. Make sure to get an accurate number for the four-year graduation rate. This may change your calculus!
Just as you should gather the four-year graduation rate, you should also make note of the percentage of students that return sophomore year. If a lot of students don't return sophomore year, that can be a red flag.
This is good information for any first-generation student to know and understand. The college's website or financial aid office can likely provide this information to you.
You can learn more about Pell Grants on the Federal Student Aid website.
It's not only important that a college admit a diverse student body, but also that it emphasizes the graduation of those same students.
This will be a huge factor in your college experience. Be sure to check that the colleges on your list check the right boxes for you in these areas:
This article on the different types of higher education can help you identify what's most important to you in a college.
It's always a benefit to connect with an alumnus of a college and ask for that individual's experience at the university you're considering.
Research this information especially for colleges that do not meet full financial need, or if your family is not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Colleges should list these opportunities on their website.
Doing your homework before applying to colleges can help increase your chances of receiving favorable financial aid packages. The colleges left on your list after you narrow it down should both be a good fit for you and you should be a good fit for them, meaning you are a desirable student for that college. When both of these lineup, you should be well-positioned to receive a financial offer that is beneficial for you!
This article was originally published on February 21, 2020. It was updated on August 7, 2024 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.